This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Graduate of an accredited nursing program.

CERTIFICATION/

LICENSES

Current State Licensure. CPI/CPR Certified per policy.

EXPERIENCE

Two years as Registered Nurse with one year acute psychiatric experience preferred.

Ability to: effectively read, write and process information accurately; input/retrieve information to/from the computer, fax, phone, patient records and from regulatory and licensing materials; see objects and persons near and at a distance.

HEARING

Ability to: communicate effectively with others; give, take and process information; use the telephone extensively; hear patients and staff on the unit so response can be timely and appropriate to needs; hear alarms or other sounds that may indicate a safety concern.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Exposure to: infection from disease-bearing specimens; blood-borne pathogens, body fluids and wastes; chemotherapeutic agents; occasional exposure to unpleasant patient or departmental elements; occasionally subjected to irregular or prolonged hours; occasional exposure to high risk behaviors from patients or visitors that may result in agitation, aggression or violence; exposure to critical incidents and sentinel events.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

PATIENT ASSESSMENT

• Complete admission nursing assessment per policy and as assigned.

• Complete nursing reassessments per policy, as assigned, and any time a change in status is observed or reported by team members.

• Identify the need for additional assessments and/or specialized treatment, including but not limited to: dietary, rehabilitation services, and/or infectious disease through the initial and ongoing assessment process. Communicate the identified need to the attending practitioner or the consultant, per policy.

• Assess patients for risk of danger to self or others at time of admission and ongoing through hospitalization. Document assessments and communicate concerns to the attending practitioner and team members through verbal and written methods.

DIRECT

PATIENT CARE

• Conduct patient rounds on assigned patients at the beginning of the shift to ensure all patients are present and to identify if there are any immediate needs that need addressed.

• Oversee all aspects of patient care and complete assignments as assigned by the Charge Nurse.

• Perform ongoing observation of the patients and milieu to ensure active treatment is provided and patients are participating.

• Respond appropriately and timely to patient requests.

• Intervene appropriately with patients experiencing a behavioral crisis situation, i.e., suicidal, threatening behavior, elopement and/or other situations. Exhibit leadership by providing clear direction to the team and communication of the patient’s status to the practitioner.

• Initiate emergency medical care when indicated. Exhibit leadership by providing clear direction to the team and communication of the patient’s status to the practitioner.

• Provide support and direct assistance to patients who are unable to attend to their activities of daily living by assisting them with meals, daily grooming, ambulation and toileting as needed.

• Participate with the treatment team in implementation of the individualized plan of care. Report factors that may impede successful accomplishment of the treatment plan to the Charge Nurse.